Freightliner Semi-Truck Involved in Serious Injury Collision With Pedestrian Along Southbound Lanes of Costajo Road in Bakersfield
BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA (October 28, 2025) – A pedestrian was seriously injured in a Bakersfield semi-truck accident in the southbound lanes of Costajo Road, not far from Bear Mountain Boulevard.
Kern County officials are saying that the collision took place around 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday. The pedestrian was walking when they were hit by a southbound semi-truck.
The force of the impact knocked the victim to the ground, leaving them with serious injuries. Paramedics were called to the scene of the collision to help the victim.
They were transported to Kern Medical with serious injuries. The driver of the semi-truck remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
Liability for Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accidents
Semi-truck drivers are required to get a commercial license. They must operate with a great deal of caution to avoid collisions. According to California Vehicle Code 22350, “No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property.” Truck drivers must take several other actions to avoid colliding with pedestrians.
- Scanning: Truck drivers should continuously scan the road ahead of them and slow down to avoid colliding with potential hazards.
- Rest: Truck drivers are required to take periodic rest breaks. They must also limit the number of hours that they work in any given day or week.
- Sobriety: Truck drivers must abstain from alcohol and other intoxicating substances. They are held to a higher standard than drivers of passenger vehicles.
- Maintenance: Truck drivers must ensure that their vehicles are periodically inspected and well maintained.
When a truck driver is negligent and hits a pedestrian, this can form the basis of a negligence claim. Depending on the circumstances of any crash, the company that a truck driver worked for could also be held at fault. Employers in California can be held vicariously liable for the wrongful actions of their workers who are operating within the course and scope of their job duties. However, truck companies will often hire their drivers as “independent contractors” to avoid direct liability for a collision.
Investigating Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks make up a relatively small number of the total vehicles on the roadway. But they are involved in a disproportionate number of fatal and serious injury collisions. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, “In 2022, at least one driver-related factor was recorded for 33 percent of the large truck drivers in fatal crashes, compared to 54 percent of the passenger vehicle drivers in fatal crashes. “Speeding of Any Kind” was the most frequent driver-related factor for drivers of both vehicle types.” Certain steps should be taken to ensure truck accidents are properly investigated.
- Police: The police should be called to the scene as early as possible so that they can begin an investigation.
- Eyewitnesses: Any person that may have witnessed the crash should be contacted and interviewed.
- Photos: Lots of photos of the accident site should be taken. A photo can help reveal a great deal of information about how a crash took place.
- Legal Support: Police reports are often inconclusive and fail to properly investigate all of the unique factors that contribute to a truck crash. Victims of truck accidents should seek the guidance of an experienced attorney.
Truck accidents are often completely disruptive to a person’s life. Victims may be left with high medical bills and may need to take extensive periods of time away from work. It is important for accident victims to carefully consider all of their legal options. They are able to pursue some measure of justice through a personal injury claim. Damages in a personal injury claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Getting Legal Help for Bakersfield Semi-Truck Accidents
We at Samer Habbas & Associates PC extend our best wishes to the victim of this Bakersfield truck accident. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police. Many questions remain unanswered. What was the speed of the truck prior to the crash? What is the safety record of the truck driver involved?
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a Bakersfield truck accident? You may have legal recourse. Our team of truck accident attorneys is here to support you in any way that we can. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 949-727-9300.
